CareerBuilder Survey Says Grads’ Majors Don’t Align With Their Jobs

Remember when you were in college and perhaps stressed about what to study, thinking it was the ultimate big decision in life? Well, according to a new survey by CareerBuilder, the major itself isn’t so important after all.

Almost half of college-educated employees indicated their very first “real job” after college wasn’t related to their major. In comparison, 32 percent of survey participants indicated they never even found a job relating to their major. And for survey respondents older than 35, that number was 31 percent.

The survey was conducted from August through early September by Harris Interactive for approximately 2,100 employees across the country. Now, we’re not saying a college education is irrelevant by any means but typically the experience and skills students gain in school help propel them into a meaningful career. Well, that and a strong network to get a foot in the door even if it’s not relevent to the course of study at the beginning.

Per the press release, Rosemary Haefner, vice president of Human Resources at CareerBuilder, revealed:

“A college education will give you a significant advantage in the job market. In a tough economic climate, college graduates must be flexible and open to taking positions outside their area of study. Taking the knowledge gained in college and branching out with it in unexpected directions is common after graduating.”

Even though employment may not have been directly related to a specific undergrad degree, 64 percent of employees surveyed revealed they’re happy with the degree they chose to pursue and 61 percent aren’t giving up their dream job in that field. Awww.

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